the sharing and developing practice network

Shared Care Scotland facilitates a network of local authority and health board officers who have a strategic responsibility for the planning, commissioning and development of short break and respite services.  The Sharing Practice network meets twice a year in conference but smaller task groups meet throughout the year on specific project related work.  The network also communicates via an online discussion forum.

The full terms of reference for the group can be downloaded by clicking here.

Anyone interested in joining this network should contact Don Williamson at the Shared Care Scotland office or by email at: don.williamson@sharedcarescotland.com.

Next Sharing Practice Event

The next Sharing Practice event takes place on Thursday 22nd May 2008. On this occasion the event is being hosted by the Scottish Society for Autism at their purpose built school and centre for diagnosis, family support and professional training – New Struan in Alloa. The purpose of this event will be to look at the short break and respite needs of people on the autistic spectrum and their carers, and the implications for strategic planning and commissioning.  This area of service development has been identified as a high priority by local officers. The event will also provide an opportunity to catch up on progress with the Scottish Government’s Respite Guidance and the local government Concordat agreement.

Briefly the role of the group is to:

• Facilitate networking opportunities.
• Identify and share examples of good practice (local & national)
• Promote and facilitate effective partnership working between health and local authorities in the development of respite services
• Provide information and feedback on current national and local issues which impact on the development of respite services.
• Identify and discuss key issues in relation to the definition, the ongoing development and design of respite services and where appropriate examine potential solutions.
• Consider relevant legislation examining its application and impact on services.
• Provide via Shared Care Scotland an additional channel of communication with policy makers and legislators.

The last SPN event took place in November 07 and was hosted by the City of Edinburgh Council at the City Chambers.

During the day we discussed the relationship between health partnerships and local authorities with regard to service planning.  In the afternoon we were joined by representatives from various voluntary sector short break service providers to explore alternative ways of supporting breaks from caring.

Papers from previous meetings

• Case studies used in Edinburgh discussions
• SCS Survey into strategic approaches to short break service development by local authorities (2006)
• Summary of Discussion Group Session on Delivering Person Centred Services (SPN event Nov 2006)
• Summary notes from Respite Guidance discussion (SPN event May 2007)

 

 

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